In a candid interview with Helsingin Sanomat, Finnish actress Oona Airola discusses the emotional and psychological challenges she faces while taking on intense roles. She reveals that her recent acting experiences have been particularly taxing, leading her to feel overwhelmed and in need of a break from such difficult characters. Airola's reflection on her work highlights the often unseen impacts that these roles can have on performances, as they seep into her personal life and mental well-being.

Airola is currently preparing to portray musician Kaija Koo in the film 'Kaunis rietas onnellinen', a project that involves deep emotional engagement due to its heavy themes. She will also be seen in a role as a mother of a baby in Klaus Härö's upcoming film, which promises to delve into serious subject matter as well. Airola explains that the dark themes of the characters she plays can lead to gloomy moods outside of her professional life, necessitating coping mechanisms to help her separate her role from her identity.

Sharing her insights, Airola emphasizes the importance of finding ways to mentally and physically disconnect from her characters after filming. She describes a particular instance while working on the Kaija Koo film, where the atmosphere during recording sessions profoundly affected her, demonstrating the intrinsic connection between an actor and their role. By learning techniques to manage her emotional responses, Airola aims to maintain her well-being while continuing to tackle complex and challenging roles in her artistic endeavors.